Multi-purpose wearable patch for measurement and treatment

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose wearable patch includes a stretchable and permeable substrate, a first sensing unit mounted in the stretchable and permeable substrate, the sensing unit that can conduct a first measurement of a user to produce a first measurement signal, a treatment unit that produces a first treatment field in the user&#39;s body; a circuit electrically connected with the treatment unit and the sensing unit; and a semiconductor chip in connection with the circuit and configured to receive the first measurement signal from the sensing unit. The semiconductor chip produces a first treatment control signal to control the treatment unit to produce a first treatment field in the user&#39;s body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to wearable electronic devices, and inparticular, to wearable patches that can attach to human skin.

Electronic patches can be used for tracking objects and for performingfunctions such as producing sound, light or vibrations, and so on. Asapplications and human needs become more sophisticated and complex,electronic patches are required to perform a rapidly increasing numberof tasks. Electronic patches are often required to be conformal tocurved surfaces, which in the case of human body, can vary overtime.

Electronic patches can communicate with smart phones and other devicesusing WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and otherwireless technologies. NFC is a wireless communication standard thatenables two devices to quickly establish communication within a shortrange around radio frequency of 13.56 MHz. NFC is more secure than otherwireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi because NFC requirestwo devices in close proximity (e.g. less than 10 cm). NFC can alsolower cost comparing to other wireless technologies by allowing one ofthe two devices to be passive (a passive NFC tag).

Bluetooth is another wireless communication standard for exchanging dataover relatively longer distances (in tens of meters). It employs shortwavelength UHF radio waves from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz from fixed or mobiledevices. Bluetooth devices have evolved to meet the increasing demandfor low-power solutions that is required for wearable electronics.Benefited from relatively longer reading distance and activecommunication, Bluetooth technologies allow wearable patches tocontinuously monitoring vital information without human interference,which is an advantage over NFC in many applications.

Wearable patch (or tag) is an electronic patch to be worn by a user. Awearable patch is required to stay on user's skin and operate for anextended period of time from hours to months. A wearable patch cancontain a micro-electronic system that can be accessed using NFC,Bluetooth, WiFi, or other wireless technologies. A wearable patch can beintegrated with different sensors for measurements such as vital signsmonitoring.

Traditionally, treatments can be conducted on patients using probes wireconnected with heavy immobile equipment. For example, CranialElectrotherapy Stimulation (CES) utilizes extremely small levels ofelectrical stimulation across the head of a patient for therapeutictreatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia and chronic pain.

There is therefore a need for convenient measurement of a patient'svital signs and other signals and treatment of the patient's symptoms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosure discloses a dual-purpose wearable device thatcan conveniently measure a patient's vital signs and other signals andtreat the patient's symptoms. The disclosed wearable patch is easy andcomfortable to wear by patients and do not require wire connections toheavy equipment.

Moreover, measurements and treatments can be conducted by the discloseddual purpose wearable patch and the disclosed multi-purpose wearablepatch while a patient fulfills his or her normal daily activities. Thustreatments can be timely and dynamically applied which such needs ariseaccording to measurements of vital body signals and other signals.

Furthermore, effects of treatments can be immediately monitored by thedual purpose wearable patch and the disclosed multi-purpose wearablepatch after it applies treatment.

In one general aspect, the present invention relates to a multi-purposewearable patch that includes a stretchable and permeable substrate, afirst sensing unit mounted in the stretchable and permeable substrate,the sensing unit that can conduct a first measurement of a user toproduce a first measurement signal, a treatment unit that can produce afirst treatment field in the user's body; a circuit electricallyconnected with the treatment unit and the sensing unit; and asemiconductor chip in connection with the circuit and configured toreceive the first measurement signal from the sensing unit, wherein thesemiconductor chip can produce a first treatment control signal tocontrol the treatment unit to produce a first treatment field in theuser's body

Implementations of the system may include one or more of the following.The treatment unit can include a heater, wherein the semiconductor chipcan produce the first treatment control signal to control the heater toproduce heat in the user's body. The treatment unit can include one ormore electrodes, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to producethe first treatment control signal to control the one or more electrodesto apply a voltage across the user's body. The semiconductor chip canproduce a second treatment control signal to control the treatment unitto produce a second treatment field in the user's body. Thesemiconductor chip can control to control the treatment unit to producethe first treatment field in the user's body in response to the firstmeasurement signal. The semiconductor chip can vary a type, timing, afrequency, or duration of the first treatment field in the user's bodybased on the first measurement signal. The semiconductor chip cancontrol the first sensing unit to vary a type, timing, a frequency, orduration of the first measurement of the user based on the treatmentfield applied across the user's body. The semiconductor chip can switchthe treatment unit and the sensing unit between a measurement mode and atreatment mode. The first sensing unit can include a mechanical sensorconfigured to measure a pulse or blood pressure of the user's body. Thefirst sensing unit can include a temperature sensor configured tomeasure a temperature of the user's skin or body. The multi-purposewearable patch can further include a second sensing unit to conduct asecond measurement of a user to produce a second measurement signal. Thesemiconductor chip can control to control the treatment unit to producethe first treatment field in the user's body in response to the firstmeasurement signal and the second measurement signal. The semiconductorchip can vary a type, timing, a frequency, or duration of the firsttreatment field in the user's body based on the first measurement signaland the second measurement signal. The second sensing unit can include amechanical sensor configured to measure a pulse or blood pressure of theuser's body, or a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperatureof the user's skin or body. The multi-purpose wearable patch can furtherinclude a circuit substrate comprising the circuit and on thestretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the semiconductor chip ismounted on the circuit substrate; and a battery configured to supplypower to the circuit and the semiconductor chip. The multi-purposewearable patch can further include an antenna in electric connectionwith the semiconductor chip, wherein the semiconductor chip isconfigured to produce electric signals to enable the antenna towirelessly exchange measurement data based on the first measurementsignal with an external device, wherein the semiconductor chip isconfigured to produce electric signals to enable the antenna towirelessly exchange treatment data with an external device, wherein thetreatment control signal is at least in part based on the treatmentdata. The multi-purpose wearable patch can further include an adhesivelayer between the stretchable and permeable substrate and the circuitsubstrate. The multi-purpose wearable patch can further include anelastic layer formed on the stretchable and permeable substrate, thecircuit substrate, and the sensing unit.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a dual purposewearable patch that includes a stretchable and permeable substrate; asensing unit mounted in the stretchable and permeable substrate, whereinthe sensing unit is configured to conduct a measurement of a user toproduce a measurement signal; one or more electrodes respectivelyattached to the stretchable and permeable substrate; a circuit substrateon the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the circuitsubstrate comprises a circuit electrically connected with the one ormore electrodes and the sensing unit; and a semiconductor chip mountedon the circuit substrate and in connection with the circuit, wherein thesemiconductor chip is configured to receive the measurement signal fromthe sensing unit, wherein the semiconductor chip can produce a treatmentcontrol signal to control the one or more electrodes to apply a voltageacross the user's body.

Implementations of the system may include one or more of the following.The semiconductor chip can produce a treatment control signal to controlthe one or more electrodes to apply a voltage across the user's body inresponse to a measurement signal. The dual purpose wearable patch canfurther include a battery configured to supply power to the circuit andthe semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip can switch the circuit,the one or more electrodes, and the sensing unit into or off from ameasurement mode and a treatment mode. The one or more electrodes caninclude a second electrode and a third electrode configured to apply avoltage across the user's body. The sensing unit can include atemperature sensor configured to measure the user's skin temperature,wherein the measurement signal comprises temperature data. The sensingunit can further include a thermally conductive cup having a bottomportion mounted in a first opening in the stretchable and permeablesubstrate, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned inside and is inthermal conduction cup with the conductive cup. The sensing unit caninclude a thermally-conductive adhesive that fixes the temperaturesensor to an inner surface of the conductive cup; and a thermallyinsulating material in a top portion of the conductive cup. The sensingunit can include an accelerometer configured to measure movement of theuser. The sensing unit can include a pressure sensor or a force sensorconfigured to measure blood pressure or pulse of the user. Thesemiconductor chip can control a type, a frequency, or duration of ameasurement of the user by the sensing unit based on the voltage appliedacross the user's body. The dual purpose wearable patch can furtherinclude an antenna mounted on the circuit substrate and in electricconnection with the semiconductor chip, wherein the semiconductor chipis configured to produce electric signals to enable the antenna towirelessly exchange measurement data based on the measurement signalwith an external device, wherein the semiconductor chip can produceelectric signals to enable the antenna to wirelessly exchange treatmentdata with an external device, wherein the treatment control signal is atleast in part based on the treatment data. At least one of the one ormore electrodes can include an electrically conductive cup that iselectrically connected to the control circuit in the circuit substrate,wherein the stretchable and permeable substrate comprises a secondopening in which the electrically conductive cup is mounted. Theelectrically conductive cup can be electrically connected with thecircuit. The dual purpose wearable patch can further include an adhesivelayer between the stretchable and permeable substrate and the circuitsubstrate. The dual purpose wearable patch can further include anelastic layer formed on the stretchable and permeable substrate, thecircuit substrate, and the sensing unit. The sensing unit includes anaccelerometer can measure the user's movement, wherein the measurementsignal comprises movement data. The sensing unit can include a pressuresensor or a force sensor configured to measure the user's blood pressureand/or the user's pulse, wherein the measurement signal comprises pulsedata and blood pressure data.

These and other aspects, their implementations and other features aredescribed in detail in the drawings, the description and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates multi-purpose wearable patches attached to a user'sskin.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplified dual purpose wearablepatch for measurement and treatment in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an exemplified sensing unitin the dual purpose wearable patch of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplified multi-purposewearable patch for measurement and treatment in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, one or more multi-purpose wearable patches 100, 101are attached to the skin of a user 110 for measuring body vital signs.The multi-purpose wearable patch 100 can be placed on the ears, theforehead, the hands, the shoulder, the waist, the leg, or the foot,under the armpit, around the wrist, on or around the arm, or other partsof a user's body. In the present disclosure, the term “wearable patch”can also be referred to as “wearable sticker”, “wearable tag”, or“wearable band”, etc. In the present disclosure, “a multi-purposewearable patch” also includes “a dual purpose wearable patch”.

As discussed in more detail below, multi-purpose wearable patches 100,101 can operate individually, or in a group to provide certain desiredtreatment or measurement. For example, the multi-purpose wearable patch101 can wrap around a user's ear for applying an electric field throughcertain location of the ear. Similar, the disclosed multi-purposewearable patch can wrap around a user's wrist for providing treatmentand measurement. Moreover, the multi-purpose wearable patches 100, 101can be attached to different parts of a user's body such as on the twoears or the two temples of the user 100, which allows a low electricvoltage signal to be applied across the user's head.

In accordance to the present invention, the disclosed multi-purposewearable patch includes a treatment portion and a measurement portion.The measurement portion can measure vital signs, motion track, skintemperature, and ECG signals. The treatment portion can apply electricalsignals, heat, and sometimes force or pressure to user's body.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an exemplified dualpurpose wearable patch 200 includes a stretchable and permeablesubstrate 205 that include openings 210A, 210B, 210C. The stretchableand permeable substrate 205 can be made of soft foam materials such asEVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCF or fabric textile, to providestretchability and breathability. The measurement portion of thedisclosed dual purpose wearable patch 200 includes a sensing unit 300mounted in the opening 210C. The treatment portion of the disclosed dualpurpose wearable patch 200 includes two electrodes 212A, 212B,respectively comprising electrically conductive cups 213A, 213B, aremounted in the openings 210A, 210B. A circuit substrate 216 and abattery 225 are bonded to the stretchable and permeable substrate 205 byan adhesive layer 215 pre-laminated on the stretchable and permeablesubstrate 205. A semiconductor chip 220 and an antenna 230 are mountedon the circuit substrate 216. The circuit substrate 216 includes anelectric circuit therein and can for example be implemented with aprinted circuit board.

The thermal conductive cup 302 in the sensing unit 300 is electricallyconnected with the circuit substrate 216 by a conductive line 240, whichin turn establishes electrical communication between the thermalconductive cup 302 and the semiconductor chip 220.

An elastic layer 250 is also bonded to the stretchable and permeablesubstrate 205 by the adhesive layer 215 to the stretchable and permeablesubstrate 205, and is also formed on the circuit substrate 216, thesensing unit 300, and the electrodes 212A, 212B. The elastic layer 250can be formed by soft stretchable and permeable foam materials such asEVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCF, or fabric textile. A thin film 260 isformed on the elastic layer 250 for protection and cosmetic purposes.

In usage, an adhesive material formed on the lower surface of thestretchable and permeable substrate 205 is attached the user's skin, sothat the bottom of the thermal conductive cup 302 is in tight contactwith a user's skin to accurately measure temperature, electrical, orpressure signals from the user's skin, or apply electrical, thermal, ormechanical signals to the user's skin. The semiconductor chip 220receives an electric signal from the temperature sensor 301 in responseto a temperature measurement of the user's skin.

The Treatment Portion

In some embodiments, the electrically conductive cups 213A, 213B in theelectrodes 212A, 212B are respectively electrically connected to theelectric circuit in the circuit substrate 216 by conductive lines 214A,214B (e.g. flexible ribbons embedded with conductive circuits). Inaccordance with the present application, the electrodes 212A, 212B canalso be implemented in other configurations such as conductive pins,conductive pads, conductive buttons, or conductive strips. Thesemiconductor chip 220 can produce treatment electric signals, which canbe amplified by an amplifier (not shown in FIG. 2) with power suppliedby the battery 225, which is sent to the electrodes 212A, 212B via theconductive lines 214A, 214B.

In some embodiments, the electric voltage (typically in low amplitude)generated across the electrodes 212A, 212B is applied to the user's skinfor therapeutic treatment. For example, such Cranial ElectrotherapyStimulation treatment can be applied across the electrode in onedisclosed dual purpose wearable patch across a user's ear lobe (e.g. 101in FIG. 1) or across a user's wrist. In another example, electricalvoltage signals can be applied across electrodes in two disclosed dualpurpose wearable patches (e.g. 100, 101 in FIG. 1). In this case, a thinconductive wire behind the user's neck can be tethered to the two dualpurpose wearable patches to provide proper ground for the voltagesignals.

The semiconductor chip 220 can communicate with an external device suchas a mobile phone or a computer via the antenna 230 in wireless signals.For example, the semiconductor chip 220 can receive a treatment planfrom the external device. The wireless signal can be based on usingWiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and other wirelessstandards. The semiconductor chip 220 can general the treatment electricsignals at durations, intervals, and amplitudes as defined in thetreatment plan.

When the dual purpose wearable patch 200 is worn by a user, the antenna230 is separated from the user's skin by the circuit substrate 216 andthe stretchable and permeable substrate 205, which minimizes the impactof the user's body on the transmissions of wireless signals by theantenna 230.

Dynamic Treatment

In some embodiments, the semiconductor chip 220 can general thetreatment electric signals at durations, intervals, and amplitudes basedon the measurement data obtained from the sensing unit 300, as describedbelow. For example, the electrotherapy stimulation treatment can beadjusted based on the user's skin temperature, heart beats, and bloodpressure measured by the sensing unit 300. User's bio vital signals mayindicate user's stress levels, which can be treated by appropriatewaveforms of electrical signals.

The Measurement Portion

In some embodiments, in the measurement portion of the disclosed dualpurpose wearable patch 200, the sensing unit 300 includes a temperaturesensor 301 in a thermal conductive cup 302 which has its bottom portionmounted into the large opening 210C and fixed to the stretchable andpermeable substrate 205 by an adhesive. The temperature sensor 301 iselectrically connected to the electric circuit in the circuit substrate216 by a flexible conductive ribbon 303. Referring to FIG. 3, the bottomportion of the thermal conductive cup 302 protrudes out of the lowersurface of the stretchable and permeable substrate 205. The lips of thethermal conductive cup 302 near its top portion are fixedly attached orbonded to bonding pads (not shown) on the stretchable and permeablesubstrate 205 by soldering or with an adhesive. The thermal conductivecup 302 is both thermally and electrically conductive. The thermalconductive cup 302 can be made of a thermally conductive metallic oralloy material such as copper, stainless steel, ceramic or carbidecomposite materials.

The temperature sensor 301 is attached to an inner surface near thebottom of the thermal conductive cup 302. The temperature sensor 301 canbe implemented, for example, by a thermistor, a Resistor TemperatureDetector, or a Thermocouple. The temperature sensor 301 is in thermalconduction with the thermal conductive cup 302. When an outer surface ofthe bottom portion of the thermal conductive cup 302 is in contact witha user's skin, the thermal conductive cup 302 thus effectively transfersheat from a user's skin to the temperature sensor 301. A flexibleconductive ribbon 303 is connected to the temperature sensor 301 in thethermal conductive cup 302 and to the electric circuit in thestretchable and permeable substrate 205.

The temperature sensor 301 can send an electric signal to thesemiconductor chip 220 via the electric circuit in response to ameasured temperature. The semiconductor chip 220 processes the electricsignal and output another electrical signal which enables the antenna230 to transmit a wireless signal carrying the measurement data toanother external device such as a mobile phone or a computer (itswireless signals, as described below, can be boosted by a charging andwireless boosting station). The wireless signal can be based on usingWiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and other wirelessstandards. The battery 225 powers the semiconductor chip 220, theantenna 230, the first and the second electric circuits, and possiblythe temperature sensor 301.

The temperature sensor 301 can be fixed to an inner surface at thebottom of the thermal conductive cup 302 by a thermally-conductiveadhesive 304, which allows effective heat transfer from the bottom ofthe thermal conductive cup 302 to the temperature sensor 301. Examplesof the thermally-conductive adhesive 304 can includeelectrically-insulative thermally-conductive epoxies and polymers. Athermally insulating material 305 filling the top portion of the thermalconductive cup 302 fixes the thermally-conductive adhesive 304 at thebottom of the thermal conductive cup 302 and reduces heat loss from thetemperature sensor 301 to the elastic layer (described below) or theenvironment. The flexible conductive ribbon 303 can be bent and laid outalong the wall the thermal conductive cup 302.

Further details of the sensing unit are disclosed in the commonlyassigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/224,121“Wearable thermometer patch for accurate measurement of human skintemperature”, filed Jul. 29, 2016, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the sensing unit 300 includes an accelerometer thatcan measure acceleration and movement of the user. In some embodiments,the sensing unit 300 includes a pressure sensor or a force sensor thatcan measure the user's pulses or blood pressure during or outsidetreatments.

In some embodiments, the sensing unit 300 includes one or moreelectrodes for measuring ECG signals. The electrode can for example bestructured in an electrically conductive cup similar to the thermalconductive cup 302 described above. The ECG signal (voltage) can bemeasured across two of the electrodes or across one of the electrodesand one of the electrodes 212A, 212B (used as ground). In particular,the ECG signals can be measured when the electrotherapy simulationtreatment is not conducted.

In some embodiments, the sensing unit 300 can include multiple sensorsfor temperature, movement, blood pressure, moisture, and pulsemeasurements.

Dynamic Measurement

In some embodiments, the semiconductor chip 220 can control the type(s),the timing, and frequencies of the measurement(s) by the sensing unit300 in response to the types of treatment applied. For example, based onthe timing, the durations, intervals, and amplitudes of the treatmentelectric signals, the frequencies, the durations and the type(s) of themeasurement(s) can be varied to more accurately and more timely monitorthe user's health conditions.

Mode Switching

The semiconductor chip 220 can control the circuit to switch the sensingunit 300 and the electrodes 210A, 210B into or off from a measurementmode, or into or off from a treatment mode. The mode switching can bespecified in the treatment plan received from an external device, ordynamically adjusted according to the user's vital signals andresponsiveness to treatment.

Personalized Medicine

Since the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch is worn by an individualpatient, the disclosed dual purpose patch is ideal for personalizedmedical treatment. Each treatment plan download into the disclosed dualpurpose wearable patch can be individualized according to the patient'sneeds.

Moreover, the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch can significantlyenhance the effectiveness of individualized treatments for patients. Inparticular, treatments can be dynamically adjusted according to thecurrent condition of the user as indicated by the bio vital signalscurrently measured from the user.

Multi-Purpose Wearable Patch

In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 4, a multi-purpose wearable patch400 includes a stretchable and permeable substrate 405 that includesopenings 410A, 410B, 410C. The stretchable and permeable substrate 405can be made of soft foam materials such as EVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCFor fabric textile, to provide stretchability and breathability. Acircuit substrate 416 and a battery 425 are bonded to the stretchableand permeable substrate 405 by an adhesive layer 415 pre-laminated onthe stretchable and permeable substrate 405. A semiconductor chip 420and an antenna 430 are mounted on the circuit substrate 416. The circuitsubstrate 416 includes an electric circuit therein and can for examplebe implemented with a printed circuit board.

In the multi-purpose wearable patch 400, the semiconductor chip 420receives and processes different types of measurement signals fromdifferent sensing units. The measurement signals can reflect the user'shealth, mental, and psychological states. The semiconductor chip 420 cansend out treatment signals for controlling treatment portion to conducttreatments on the user (e.g. thermal, electrical, mechanical, etc.).

The multi-purpose wearable patch 400 includes a measurement portion thatincludes a sensor unit 450 mounted in the opening 410A and a sensingunit 300 mounted in the opening 410C. The sensing unit 300 includes atemperature sensor 301 in a thermal conductive cup 302 which has itsbottom portion mounted into the large opening 410C and fixed to thestretchable and permeable substrate 405 by an adhesive. The temperaturesensor 301 is electrically connected to the electric circuit in thecircuit substrate 416 by a flexible conductive ribbon 303. When an outersurface of the bottom portion of the thermal conductive cup 302 is incontact with a user's skin, the thermal conductive cup 302 thuseffectively transfers heat from a user's skin to the temperature sensor301. A flexible conductive ribbon (303 in FIG. 3) is connected to thetemperature sensor 301 in the thermal conductive cup 302 and to theelectric circuit in the stretchable and permeable substrate 405. Thetemperature sensor 301 can send an electric signal to the semiconductorchip 420 via the electric circuit in response to a measured temperature.Details about the sensing unit 300 are described above in relation toFIG. 3.

The thermal conductive cup 302 in the sensing unit 300 can beelectrically conductive. The thermal conductive cup 302 is electricallyconnected with the circuit substrate 416 by a conductive line 440, whichestablishes electrical communication between the thermal conductive cup302 and the semiconductor chip 420. When the thermally and electricallyconductive cup 302 is in electric contact with a user's skin, thesemiconductor chip 420 can receive an EEG signal via the conductive cup302 from the skin of the user.

The sensor unit 450 includes a cup 413A and a mechanical sensor 412Amounted in a window at the bottom of the cup 413A. The mechanical sensor412A can detect a pressure or a vibration in the user skin or body whenthe bottom of the cup 413A is in contact of the user's skin. Themechanical sensor 412A can include a piezoelectric material that produceelectrical signal in response to pressure or stress. In oneimplementation, the mechanical sensor 412A can include a membrane coatedwith a piezoelectric material that produces an electrical signal inresponse to pressure, mechanical disturbances, or vibrations. In someimplementations, the mechanical sensor 412A is an integratedmicromechanical electrical system (MEMS) device that can bemicro-fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. When the mechanicalsensor 412A is in contact with user's skin, the vibrations or pressurevariations caused by the user's heart beats and blood pressure can bedetected; the mechanical sensor 412A sends a measurement signal to thesemiconductor chip 420 via conductive lines 414A. The semiconductor chip420 can extract the user's pulse and blood pressure information from themeasurement signal.

Other measurements compatible with the multi-purpose wearable patch caninclude movement, acceleration, moisture, etc.

The disclosed multi-purpose wearable patch 400 includes a treatment unit470 that includes a heater 412B attached to a thermally conductive cup413B mounted in the opening 410B. The heater 412B can be a thermalresistor that produces heat when applied with a voltage. The heater 412Bis electrically connected to the electric circuit in the circuitsubstrate 416 via conductive lines 414B can be controlled by thesemiconductor chip 420. The semiconductor chip 420 can produce treatmentelectric signals, which can be amplified by an amplifier (not shown inFIG. 4) with power supplied by the battery 425, which is sent to controlthe heater 412B via the conductive lines 414B. Under the control thetreatment electric signals, the heater 412B can produce heat to treatthe user's skin and body. The heating can be applied in differentwaveforms such as static, pulses, and waveforms of varying frequencies.Heat treatments can be used to reduce or cure muscle or joint pains,mental stress, and to increase blood circulation, etc. As describedabove, the treatment unit 470 can also include electrodes that produceelectrical voltage across the user's skin or body under the control ofthe semiconductor chip 420. In general, the treatment unit 470 canproduce treatment field(s) in the user the skin or body, such treatmentsincluding electrical, heat, mechanical, magnetic and other fields, whichcan provide therapy or relaxation to the user.

An elastic layer 450 is also bonded to the stretchable and permeablesubstrate 405 by the adhesive layer 415 to the stretchable and permeablesubstrate 405, and is also formed on the circuit substrate 416, thesensing unit 300, the mechanical sensor 412A, and the heater 412B. Theelastic layer 450 can be formed by soft stretchable and permeable foammaterials such as EVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCF, or fabric textile. Athin film 460 is formed on the elastic layer 450 for protection andcosmetic purposes.

In usage, an adhesive material formed on the lower surface of thestretchable and permeable substrate 405 is attached the user's skin, sothat the bottom of the thermal conductive cup 302 is in tight contactwith a user's skin to accurately measure temperature, electrical, orpressure signals from the user's skin, or apply electrical, thermal, ormechanical signals to the user's skin. The semiconductor chip 420receives an electric signal from the temperature sensor 301 in responseto a temperature measurement of the user's skin.

Similar to the description above, the multi-purpose wearable patch 400can conduct dynamic measurement and dynamic treatment for applicationsin personalized medicine. In dynamic measurement, the sensing unit 300and the sensor unit 450 the type(s), the timing, and frequencies of themeasurement(s) by the sensing unit 300 in response to the types oftreatment applied by the heater 412B under the control of thesemiconductor chip 420. For example, based on the timing, the durations,intervals, and amplitudes of the treatment electric signals, the timing,the frequencies, the durations and the type(s) of the measurement(s) canbe varied to more accurately and more timely monitor the user's healthconditions.

Similarly, in dynamic treatment, the semiconductor chip 420 can generalthe treatment electric signals at durations, intervals, and amplitudesbased on the measurement data obtained from the sensing units 300, 450,as described below. For example, the electrotherapy stimulationtreatment can be adjusted based on the user's skin temperature, heartbeats, and blood pressure measured by the sensing units 300, 450. User'sbio vital signals may indicate user's stress levels, which can betreated by appropriate waveforms of electrical signals for heat orelectrical treatments.

Furthermore, the semiconductor chip 420 can control the circuit toswitch the sensing units 300, 450 and the heater 412B betweenmeasurement mode, a treatment mode, an off mode or a dynamic mode. Themode switching can be specified in the treatment plan received from anexternal device, or dynamically adjusted according to the user's vitalsignals and responsiveness to treatment.

Other details about wearable patches capable of performing measurementand charging functions are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/423,585, titled “A wearable patch comprisingthree electrodes for measurement and charging”, filed Feb. 3, 2017,commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/406,380, titled “Awearable thermometer patch for correct measurement of human skintemperature”, filed Jan. 13, 2017, and commonly assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/414,549, titled “A wearable thermometer patchfor measuring temperature and electrical signals”, filed Jan. 24, 2017.The disclosures in the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

The disclosed dual purpose wearable patch and multi-purpose wearablepatch are stretchable, compliant, durable, and comfortable to wear byusers. The disclosed wearable thermometer patch includes a flexiblesubstrate covered and protected by an elastic layer that increases theflexibility and stretchability.

Another advantage of the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch andmulti-purpose wearable patch is that it can significantly increasewireless communication range by placing the antenna on the upper surfaceof the circuit substrate. The thickness of the substrate as well as theheight of the thermally conductive cup can be selected to allow enoughdistance between the antenna and the user's skin to minimizeinterference of user's body to the wireless transmission signals.

While this document contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed orof what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specificto particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in thisdocument in the context of separate embodiments can also be implementedin combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features thatare described in the context of a single embodiment can also beimplemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitablesub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

Only a few examples and implementations are described. Otherimplementations, variations, modifications and enhancements to thedescribed examples and implementations may be made without deviatingfrom the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-purpose wearable patch, comprising: astretchable and permeable substrate; a first sensing unit mounted in thestretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the sensing unit includes abottom portion adapted to be in contact with a user's skin, wherein thesensing unit comprises a temperature sensor in thermal contact with thebottom portion to conduct a first measurement of a user to produce afirst measurement signal; a treatment unit configured to produce a firsttreatment field in the user's body, wherein the treatment unit includesone or more electrodes configured to be in electrical contact with theuser's skin and to apply a voltage across the user's body; a circuitelectrically connected with the treatment unit and the first sensingunit; and a semiconductor chip in connection with the circuit andconfigured to receive the first measurement signal from the firstsensing unit, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce afirst treatment control signal to control the treatment unit to producea first treatment field in the user's body.
 2. The multi-purposewearable patch of claim 1, wherein the treatment unit further includes aheater, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce thefirst treatment control signal to control the heater to produce heat inthe user's body.
 3. The multi-purpose wearable patch of claim 1, whereinthe sensing unit includes a second electrode that is configured tomeasure an electrical signal from the user's body in conjunction withthe one or more electrodes attached to the stretchable and permeablesubstrate.
 4. The multi-purpose wearable patch of claim 1, wherein thesemiconductor chip is configured to produce a second treatment controlsignal to control the treatment unit to produce a second treatment fieldin the user's body.
 5. The multi-purpose wearable patch of claim 1,wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to control the treatmentunit to produce the first treatment field in the user's body in responseto the first measurement signal.
 6. The multi-purpose wearable patch ofclaim 5, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to vary a type,timing, a frequency, or duration of the first treatment field in theuser's body based on the first measurement signal.
 7. The multi-purposewearable patch of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor chip is configuredto control the first sensing unit to vary a type, timing, a frequency,or duration of the first measurement of the user based on the firsttreatment field applied across the user's body.
 8. The multi-purposewearable patch of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor chip is configuredto switch the treatment unit and the first sensing unit between ameasurement mode and a treatment mode.
 9. The multi-purpose wearablepatch of claim 1, further comprising: a second sensing unit comprising amechanical sensor configured to measure a pulse or blood pressure of theuser's body.
 10. The multi-purpose wearable patch of claim 1, furthercomprising: a second sensing unit to conduct a second measurement of auser to produce a second measurement signal.
 11. The multi-purposewearable patch of claim 10, wherein the semiconductor chip is configuredto control the treatment unit to produce the first treatment field inthe user's body in response to the first measurement signal and thesecond measurement signal.
 12. The multi-purpose wearable patch of claim11, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to vary a type, atiming, a frequency, or duration of the first treatment field in theuser's body based on the first measurement signal and the secondmeasurement signal.
 13. The multi-purpose wearable patch of claim 10,wherein the second sensing unit includes a mechanical sensor configuredto measure a pulse or blood pressure of the user's body, or atemperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the user'sskin or body.
 14. The multi-purpose wearable patch of claim 1, furthercomprising: a circuit substrate comprising the circuit and on thestretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the semiconductor chip ismounted on the circuit substrate; and a battery configured to supplypower to the circuit and the semiconductor chip.
 15. The multi-purposewearable patch of claim 1, further comprising: an antenna in electricconnection with the semiconductor chip, wherein the semiconductor chipis configured to produce electric signals to enable the antenna towirelessly exchange measurement data based on the first measurementsignal with an external device, wherein the semiconductor chip isconfigured to produce electric signals to enable the antenna towirelessly exchange treatment data with an external device, wherein thefirst treatment control signal is at least in part based on thetreatment data.
 16. The multi-purpose wearable patch of claim 1, furthercomprising: an adhesive layer between the stretchable and permeablesubstrate and the circuit substrate.
 17. The multi-purpose wearablepatch of claim 1, further comprising: an elastic layer formed on thestretchable and permeable substrate, the circuit substrate, and thesensing unit.